Eastern Connecticut Conference officials met Friday to discuss the future of the league, emerging with some optimism.

League sources said the most intriguing proposal suggests divisional alignments based on program strength and not enrollment.

It is unclear the exact mechanism to determine "program strength," although two-year records from the ECC's master schedules (divisional games and pre-determined crossovers) are a strong possibility.

Hence, specific athletic programs would be placed in divisions according to their success rate over the previous two seasons, regardless of size.

Sources said some data was made available to illustrate what potential divisions would look like in certain sports, but that more specific data will be available for discussion when officials meet again on Friday, Jan. 30, at Norwich Free Academy.

All 18 ECC schools were represented Friday by an administrator and athletic director.

East Lyme, which entertained officials from the Southern Connecticut Conference on Thursday, is expected to wait until the ECC offers more specific details before deciding whether to remain in the ECC or accept an invitation to join the SCC, sources said. ECC by-laws state that individual schools must give a one-year notice if they attend to leave the conference.

Stonington principal Mark Friese sent the following press release Friday:

"With cooperation from the entire membership of the Eastern Connecticut Conference, an emergency meeting took place to discuss the status and direction of the league. It was a tremendous collaborative effort, with each school's representatives having the ability to voice their concerns and desires of the league.

"ECC Advisory Board Chairman, Bryan Morrone, knowing many of the concerns through conversations and meetings with many of his fellow ECC Athletic Directors, drafted a proposal that was well received but merits more time, analysis, and examination before the schools reach a decision.

"In the end, questions and details arose that still need to be addressed. The Board of Directors, in conjunction with the Advisory Board, worked admirably throughout the meeting with the utmost professionalism. The ECC is better served following this meeting; it was productive and kept the student-athletes' best interests in mind."

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter: @BCGenius